The Dratshang Lhuentshog is working on sanctioning around Nu 5 M to Tharpaling monastery in Bumthang to rebuild the monastery’s dining hall and kitchen burnt down in June last year. The monastery’s road is also in dire need of repair but the Roads Department has no immediate plans to repair it due to ongoing construction works at the monastery.
Almost 18 months after the dining hall and the kitchen of the monastery were razed to the ground, the monastery is still waiting for an adequate budget to rebuild the structure. The cause of the fire which remains unknown to date engulfed almost a year’s worth of essentials along with the structure.
A makeshift shed is now being used as a kitchen and dining hall. The monastery’s administration wrote to the Dratshang Lhentshog Secretariat for support. The Bumthang district administration provided Nu 1.2 M for rebuilding works.
“We have to transport timber and stones from faraway sites, so the budget provided by the district administration won’t be able to meet even the transportation charges. That’s why we have not begun the rebuilding works. We are using this hut for cooking and dining purposes,” said Karma Leki, Secretary of Tharpaling Dratshang.
The General Secretary of the Dratshang Lhentshog Secretariat, Lam Yeshi, said he will be talking with the finance ministry officials in the coming week to finalise the budget.
“I have proposed the budget for Tharpaling’s kitchen and dining hall in the 2023-2024 financial year and that too is an urgent project. The Tharpaling monastery’s administration didn’t propose it until the fire incident happened, that’s why the budget is getting delayed,” said Lam Yeshi, the General Secretary of Dratshang Lhentshog Secretariat.
The road towards the monastery is also worn out with the blacktop almost entirely coming apart in many stretches.
The 12-kilometre road which starts from Gaytsa village in Chhumey was constructed around two decades ago. It was blacktopped around six years ago.
“The road caters not only to the monastery but also to local pilgrims and tourists. Though the Roads Department carries out regular maintenance, it seems like they lack the funds to do a major renovation. So, we hope the department would mend the road properly if an adequate budget for major maintenance is available,” added the Tharpaling Dratshang Secretary.
The Roads Department or DOR’s Regional Office in Trongsa look after the road. The Chief Engineer of the office said only regular maintenance will be taken up as of now.
“Currently because of the construction works at Tharpaling Dratshang, heavy vehicles ply on the road and sometimes machinery as well. So at least for the 2022-2023 financial year, there is no major plan to blacktop the road. Maybe we could plan after a year or so,” said Ugyen Dorji, the Chief Engineer of the DoR Regional Office in Trongsa.
Tharpaling has several sacred and renowned temples and pilgrimage sites blessed by Guru Rinpoche, Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjam and several Buddhist masters.
Located about 40 kilometres from Bumthang town, there are around 150 monks living on the campus.
Kipchu, Bumthang
